By Caitlin Langlands*
Spring has just begun, and across Aotearoa, businesses in tourism, hospitality, and agriculture are already gearing up for what looks set to be a busy summer.
Recently, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston confirmed that international visitor numbers and spending are increasing, a clear sign that demand is returning to pre- pandemic levels.
This surge in visitors is welcome news, but it also presents a crucial challenge: staffing. More visitors mean more bookings, more tables to fill, more fruit to pick, and all of it depends on having the right people ready to go, making this spring an important window for recruitment.
From my experience at ZEIL, the employers who succeed in seasonal hiring focus on three key areas: being clear about what their business needs, recruiting in a way that suits today’s job seekers, and onboarding thoughtfully.
First, be really clear about what you need. Define the roles precisely, including hours, flexibility, experience, and support required. Is transport or accommodation an issue? Knowing this upfront avoids confusion and speeds up the hiring process.
Fast & Simple
Second, recruit with today’s job seekers in mind. Our culture leans heavily towards swiping now, so people expect job hunting to be fast and simple, as easy as booking a trip or connecting on social media. They want to know what the role pays, where it is, and how quickly they can start. If your hiring process is slow or complicated, this can become a real barrier to getting quality candidates in the door.
Finally, don’t underestimate onboarding. When the busy season starts, it’s tempting to rush past this step, but it’s absolutely crucial to a smooth summer. A warm welcome, clear instructions, well trained staff, and a sense of purpose can turn new hires into committed team members who stay the season and come back next year.
Essential Planning
With tourism and hospitality ramping up and agriculture facing peak harvest demands, the summer ahead is full of opportunity, but those opportunities will only be realised by businesses that plan ahead and staff up now.
Spring is your chance to plan, recruit, and prepare. Because when the guests arrive and the work piles up, having the right team ready from day one is crucial to supporting your business towards a successful summer season.
*Caitlin Langlands, is Marketing Manager at ZEIL. https://www.zeil.com/